Massaging apparatus.



PATENTED PBR l2 f i l i L A J/zffzz E. M, FUNK. MASSAGING APPARATUS.PPLITION FILED JUNE 20 1905 Unrrnn sfra'rs Pafrnnr anni EDGAR M. FUNK,OF WY-THEVILLE, VIRGINIA.

massaema- APPARATUS.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12,1907.

Application filed June 20,1906. Serial No. 322,629.

' as to open the pores and permit undesirable secretions to be quicklyand thoroughly removed.

'Another object is to provide a device which is under the constantcontrol of the operator and whereby the suction created by the p vacuumcan be established at will and at any -period during the rubbingoperation.

Astill further object is to provide novel means for engaging the skin ofthe patient during the massaging operation, so as to thoroughly knead itand expand the pores.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists of ahead having a recess in one face, and a passage extends from this recessand communicates, through a iiexible tube, with a tank in which a vacuumis adapted to be formed in any preferred manner. A valve normallyclosesthe passage in the head and is constantly under the control of theoperator, so that a suction can be established within the recesswhenever desired simply by opening the valve. The head extends into amassaging-frame, hav'- ing cross-bars which extend across the recess inthe head, and these lbars are adapted to rub the skin of the patientwhen the head is moved thereover, so as to spread the pores and kneadthe flesh. While the device is ap lied to the skin the suction can beestablis ed in the manner stated, so as to draw the skin between thebars of the massagingframe and open the pores. Should the head be movedover the skin while the suction is in force, the bars will force allundesirab lesecretions from the pores.

The invention also consists of certain other novel features ofconstruction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter morefully described, and pointed out in the claims. V

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of theinvention.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the complete apparatus, the headand the frame thereon being shown vin section. Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview of the massaging-frame, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modifiedform of massaging-frame. v

Referring to thefigures by characters of reference, 1 is a head having arecess 2 in one face thereof,` from the inner Wall of which extends apassage 3, opening through an extension 4, projecting from the head.This extension engages one end of a iiexible tube 5, connected toa tank6, and a vacuum is adapted to be formed within this tank by means of asuitable suction-pump 7. passage 3 is intersect'ed by an elongatedrecess 8, extending into the head 1 from one face thereof. A slide-valve9 is mounted in this recess, and a spring 10 is interposed between theend of the' recess and the slidevalve to hold said valve normally inposition to close the passage. An opening 1 1 is formed within thevalve, and by movingl said valve inward and compressing the spring thisopening will be caused to register with the pas-y sage 3. A button 12 ispreferably formed at thel outer end of the valve to facilitate itsactuation.

A preferably rectangular massaging-frame 13 surrounds the recessed faceof the head 1 and may be covered with rubber tubing 14 or any othersoftmaterial which will not injure the flesh when rubbed thereover. Parallelcross-bars 15 connect the sides of the frame. If desired, additionalparallel bars 16 may connect the ends of the frame,

so that a plurality of rectangular openingsv will be formed by theintersecting bars, as shown in Fig. 3.

In using the apparatus a vacuum is first established within the tank 6bymeans of pump l7. The head 1 is then inserted into the frame 13, whichwill fit tightly thereon by reason of the rubber covering 14, which isprovided. After the parts have been prepared in this manner the frame 13is rubbed over the skin of the patient and the bars l5 will knead theflesh and open or expand the pores. After this operation has beencarried v'a desired period the valve 9( is pressed in-l ward, so as toopen the assage 3, and a suction is promptly establis led within therecess 2. This will result in the skin being drawn between the bars 15,and by continuing the movement of the frame under these conditions anysecretions within thepor's will be quickly removed therefrom. Thefiexible covering 14serves not only to prevent injury The i IOO -to thepatient, but also seals the recess 2 in order that the suction may bereadily produced. By utilizing intersecting bars 15 and 16 the frame canbe moved in any direction with the same results, and a'pinching effectWill beproduced upon' the skin by moving it diagonally, because the skinwill been set forth in the foregoing description;`

but I do not limit myself thereto,l as I am aware that modifications maybe made therein without departing from the spirit -or sacrificing theadvantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to lmake suchchanges' as fairly fall within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed isw 1. In an apparatus of the character described thccombination with a head and means for establishing suction therethrough;of intersecting cross-bars connected to the head in the line of suctionand 'constituting 'rubbing devices.

2. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with ahead, lmeans for establishing suction therethrough, and

means for regulating the suction; of a frame fitted upon the head, 'andintersecting crossbars secured within the frame and extending in theline of suction, said bars constituting rubbing devices.

3. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with arecessed head; of a massage-frame surrounding the head adjacent therecessed face thereof, a flexible covering upon the frame, cross-barswithin the frame and intersecting the end of the re# cess, and means forestablishing suction tln'oughthe frame and recess.

4. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with arecessed head; of a massage-frame surrounding the head adjacent therecessed lface thereof, a flexible covering upon the frame, cross-barsWithin the frame and intersecting the end of the re cess, means forestablishing suction through the frame and recess,4 and spring-pressedmeans under control of the operator for regulating the suction.

5. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with ahead, and means for establishing suction therethrough; ofk cross-barsconnected to the head in the line of the suction and constitutingrubbing devices.

In'testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature'in the presenceof two witnesses.

EDGAR M. FUNK. Witnessesr E. HUME TALBERT,

M. J.. WARRINER.

